Contrary to Calin's expectations, her words only strengthened Yeri's position as well as how everyone viewed her.
If anything, it confirmed the engagement was a done deal, not some impulsive whim of Shin Keir proclaiming Yeri as his fiancée.
Calin refused to accept it. Her smile tightened as she directed the conversation.
"Actually, I also just met Miss Zhi tonight," she said lightly. "I wonder what prominent family does she come from?"
The question dropped like bait in a quiet pond.
And the others, though silent, were admittedly curious.
For the Keir elders to approve, and for Shin to acknowledge her, Yeri must have outstanding lineage, surely a powerful family backing her, right?
Yeri wasn't flustered. She simply answered honestly, mentioning Zhi Corporation, the company behind Café Zhillion.
A subtle wave rippled through the room.
Surprise. Curiosity. A hint of disbelief. Even faint disappointment.
A third-tier family?
Was her beauty the only reason she succeeded in getting Shin Keir's attention?
No matter how ethereal she looked… She simply didn't have the qualifications to match Shin Keir on paper.
What were the Keirs thinking?
What was Shin thinking?
Women were one thing, but for men of their status, everyone understood that marriage was never just about affection. It was about benefits, alliances, and interests.
And Shin Keir, of all people, should know that better than anyone.
Calin's lips twitched with almost-hidden triumph. They must all be judging Yeri now, looking down on her, wondering what tricks she used.
Meanwhile, Yeri herself was utterly unbothered. She had no obligation to explain anything; she wasn't marrying them. If anything, she was more disappointed that she'd been fooled into coming here for "karaoke" when the group seemed far more interested in drowning themselves in liquor and women. The massive smart TV in the room might as well have been invisible.
"Oh~ I've heard of Café Zhillion," Calin continued breezily. "But I'm not sure if they have any branches near my house. And SJ Entertainment never ordered from them…"
Her tone was polite, but the meaning was clear: 'It's not a place the elite frequent. I've never even bothered to go.'
Then, with practiced innocence, she added softly, "Miss Zhi must be very likable for the elders to approve of her. Could you give me some advice?"
A beautiful strike: two birds with one stone.
She echoed everyone's unspoken doubts while subtly implying she was close enough to Tristan that she, too, might someday have to face the Keir elders.
No one refuted her. They simply drank, exchanged glances, or busied themselves with their phones.
Yeri parted her lips to respond, but Saeki beat her to it, speaking lazily yet loudly, "I agree, sis-in-law is super likable. Even Uncle Allister is fond of her. He even showed her his private art collections."
Gasps or widened eyes followed.
Then Saeki perked up, suddenly remembering something. "Oh right! Yeri, did Uncle already transfer that down south property to you? Have you decided if you want a laboratory or a farm there?"
Before anyone could process that bombshell, Shin added calmly, "She doesn't need to be likable. She just has to be herself."
Yeri blinked and gave him a side glance.
Be herself? Did he mean he knew her… that well?
Calin opened her mouth to comment but shrank back when she met Shin's cold, dangerous gaze.
"If anything," he said, voice sharp as a blade, "one should worry about themselves. Otherwise, you might not know which bed you'll wake up in."
A chill ran through Calin's body, cold enough to sink into her bones. The warning was unmistakably aimed at her.
Fear slowly tightened around her like an invisible hand. Shin was speaking so calmly, yet every word held weight. He was talking about that night, instead of waking up beside a compromised Shin Keir, she had opened her eyes to a disaster she never expected: a furious, unhinged brother screaming at her.
The memory alone made her stomach twist.
But it was also directed at everyone in the room.
Anyone harboring malicious intent, ill thoughts, or hidden contempt toward Yeri would be wise to keep it to themselves.
Because with Shin Keir, one could go to sleep on a comfortable mattress… and wake up on nothing but straw bedding.
The room was suddenly thrown into a strange, heavy tension.
Right, who cared which family Yeri came from? If the entire Keir family had accepted her, then that alone was enough.
Even if curiosity still buzzed in their minds, what method did she use? How did she win over Shin Keir? Shin's warning had snapped everyone back into place. No one dared voice another intrusive thought.
Yeri, meanwhile, was still caught off guard by Saeki's question about the property, but Master Keir must have forgotten about that property down south, and she had no intention of bringing it up.
Since everyone's attention was fixed on Shin's chilling remark, she decided to pretend she hadn't heard Saeki at all.
Just then, the door swung open and eight women in tight, skimpy dresses strutted inside.
Saeki choked violently on nothing but air, still clutching his wine bottle like a lifeline. How could he forget he had called for the girls earlier?
Almost instantly, every man in the room turned toward Shin Keir, waiting for his reaction like nervous schoolboys waiting for a teacher's verdict.
Unaware and unbothered, the women moved quickly, as if competing in a silent race, whoever managed to sit first would win a prize.
One girl recognized the eldest young master of the Lin family and, without hesitation, grabbed the ponytail of the woman ahead of her before sliding into the seat beside him triumphantly.
The others quickly identified Saeki and Tristan, both widely known to the public as eligible bachelors and practically swarmed them.
Calin, who only seconds ago was trembling in fear, suddenly looked feral. Her eyes sharpened with hostility as she glared at any woman who dared approach Tristan.
Despite the Ricci family's decline, Calin was still a well-known public figure. No one wanted to offend her, not even women whose livelihoods depended on charm.
"Um- listen…" Saeki tried to speak, wanting to ask the girls to step outside for a moment. But one woman was already clinging to his arm, whispering in a breathy, coquettish voice that she was an influencer.
Two more were spinning and posing in front of him like sales agents competing for a major contract, leaving him utterly overwhelmed.
Yeri stared in shock at the aggressiveness, then her eyes brightened innocently.
Maybe these girls liked karaoke too?
But then one girl noticed Shin Keir.
Her eyes widened. Excitement and greed flared in her expression. "Oh my god… Shin Keir is here?" she whispered.
The others followed her gaze, and in the dim corner they finally realized, a domineering, impossibly imposing figure sat relaxed on the sofa and beside him was a beauty so stunning she looked unreal.
Still, these women weren't the type to back down. In their world, marriage into wealth required not just beauty, but skill, timing, and relentless courage.
And truly, who could resist the allure of Shin Keir?
The heir to a colossal conglomerate. The wealthiest man in the country. And a face that could rival his fortune.
The two models dancing in front of Saeki froze mid-motion, starstruck. Their eyes couldn't help but drift back to Shin like they were looking at a rare, priceless artifact they'd never expected to see in their lifetime.
The women, emboldened by greed and miscalculation, began inching toward Shin Keir.
They all knew Shin's reputation as a misogynist, a man who barely tolerated a woman's presence, let alone her touch. But Yeri's presence twisted their assumptions, she made him seem… approachable. Just another man weak to flesh.
They moved with calculated elegance, each step measured, hips swaying with practiced allure. Their eyes were lowered demurely, but beneath the mask, their gazes were sharp and predatory. These were women trained to hunt the wealthiest target in the room with the precision of wolves scenting blood.
One braver model stepped forward.
"Um… Young Master Keir," she purred softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "would you like a refill?"
Her voice was honey-sweet, dripping with suggestion as she reached for the wine bottle on the table.
Yeri was speechless. She had to admit, they were beautiful, confident, and bold. Honestly, she admired them a little.
Who said only men could chase women?
Before she could speak, another girl glided closer, her perfume thick and sweet.
"Young Master Keir, you seem tired… I'm very confident in my massage skills. Maybe I could help you relax?"
Her hand lifted, fingers poised to touch his sleeve with the intimacy of someone who had rehearsed this motion a thousand times.
Before her manicured nails came close, Shin's arm tightened around Yeri's waist. His voice dropped, cold enough to ice the room.
"I don't need anything."
The woman froze, her smile cracking. But still not ready to surrender.
"Ah… then… may I at least keep you company tonight?"
Her gaze flicked to Yeri. Up close, Yeri's beauty was even more striking, enough to injure her pride. But she forced a smile.
Shin slowly turned his head. The glare he gave her could have ended her entire bloodlines.
Yeri noticed the veins along Shin's neck and the uncomfortable press of his grip tightening around her waist.
So the rumor was true: he really did dislike women touching him.
"He said he doesn't need anything. And as for company… do I look invisible to you?" Yeri's voice was soft, but her words pricked like thorns.
She didn't dislike these women. But she was his girlfriend, and she could feel how uncomfortable he was.
A girlfriend had rights, after all.
The room dipped a few degrees colder.
Shin's gaze dropped to her, something unreadable in his eyes.
Tristan, watching from the side, sighed inwardly. Shin was restraining himself because of Yeri. If she weren't here, these girls would already regret stepping within five meters of him.
The second woman retreated immediately.
But a third one, bolder, darker-hearted, took her chance. She stepped forward with her chest subtly pushed out and eyes narrowed, throwing Yeri a condescending look that clearly said:
Don't think you've won just because you're slightly prettier.
When competing with someone prettier, the easiest victory was to remove the rival entirely.
"Young Master Keir… I've admired you for so long," she cooed.
In one smooth motion, she lifted her drink, aiming to spill it onto Yeri's dress.